In Today's Update
- Message from NOTO's Executive Director
- Ontario COVID-19 Regulation Changes
- Camping on Waterways - Public Consultation
- Public Engagement Sessions About the Recreational Walleye Fishery on Lake of the Woods
- Early Bird Promo - Prize Announcement!
- Yamaha Motor Canada - Camp and Resort Exclusive Offer!
- Canada Digital Adoption Program - Grant Opportunities to Digitize Your Business!
- Northern Ontario Tourism Spring Training Week - Save the Date!
- No TIAO Calls Next Week
- TSNN - We can still help you find staff!
- Safe Travel Stamp
We will continue to strive to bring forward pertinent information to the tourism industry as it becomes available. We will also do our best to find answers to your questions. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
NOTO Contact Emails:
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A Message from NOTO's Executive Director
Hello All,
I have only a brief message this week. Sometimes I feel like a broken record but I wanted to reiterate once again that I am continuing to build and find every opportunity to bring your issues to the forefront and to all levels of government.
Some of our most active files for the last several weeks and months have been as follows:
- Waiving 2022 crown resource fees
- Announcements on the Ontario Tourism Recovery Program applications
- Removal of pre-entry and random testing fully vaccinated travellers crossing the border by May 1st
- Federal plan for reopening the border to unvaccinated travellers
- Extending tourism support programs to the end of 2022
- Making higher portions of the loan programs forgivable and extend payback terms
These are massive files and each one of them requires numerous activities including correspondence, research, proposal development and countless meetings. In many cases each of these priorities requires that we meet with several different ministries, MPs and/or MPPs.
I just wanted to provide perhaps a little more information about the type of activities that NOTO continues to take on to support the resource-based tourism sector.
We are quite optimistic on a few of these items and hope to be able to share good news soon.
Be well,
Laurie
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Ontario COVID-19 Regulation Changes
The following changes to public health and workplace safety measures are in effect as of March 1, 2022. For the full list of measures in effect, see O. Reg. 364/20:
- capacity limits have been lifted in all indoor public settings
- proof of vaccination requirements have been lifted
- businesses and organizations may choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry
- other protective measures, such as mask/face covering requirements and passive screening of patrons remain in place
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businesses and organizations that are open must continue to have safety plans in place
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Camping on Waterways - Public Consultation
The Government is seeking feedback on potential ideas and approaches to manage “camping” on water and the use of floating accommodations on waterways over Ontario’s public lands. Please note, no regulatory changes are being proposed at this time.
The ministry is seeing increased interest in the use of waterways by various types of vessels (i.e., watercraft equipped for overnight accommodation). Some of the concerns include, but are not limited to:
- wastewater management
- application of building permits
- duration of use
- advertisings that suggest a range of options for the use of floating accommodations on water
- increasing human pressures on waterways
- impeding access to public land and waterways
- lack of payment of property taxes
The Ministry is seeking input from the public, Indigenous communities, municipalities and municipal associations, and various stakeholders. Input from this process will inform considerations for potential changes intended to address the growing concerns around the impacts of this activity on Ontario waterways and those who use them.
Although the focus of this bulletin is predominantly on "crown land camping" type of activities on the waterways, NOTO will be working together with a group of houseboat operators to ensure that business interests are protected and that their concerns are addressed as the Ministry moves forward to develop any potential regulatory changes.
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Public Engagement Sessions About the Recreational Walleye Fishery on Lake of the Woods
The Ministry, accompanied by Parliamentary Assistant Dave Smith, will be hosting a series of public consultation sessions pertaining to the Lake of the Woods recreational walleye fishery. The first two sessions will be held on March 8 and March 22 and will take place virtually.
Input will be taken into consideration before posting a proposal to the Environmental Registry. For more information please contact James Williams, Resource Management Coordinator, at (807) 468-2543.
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Early Bird Promo: 1-Month Remaining!
Renew your membership or join NOTO before March 31st, 2022 to be entered for a chance to win the Early Bird Prize Draw!
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Entry Level: $452.00
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Bronze:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Silver:
$734.50 NOW: $706.25
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Basic:
$621.50 NOW: $593.25
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Bronze:
$779.70 NOW: $734.50
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Silver:
$1,367.30 NOW: $1,299.50
If you require an invoice for your records, please e-mail NOTO staff. Prices listed above include HST. To renew your membership or to join NOTO, please click on the appropriate category link above to access the membership form. Completed forms can be printed and mailed to the NOTO office, or scanned and emailed to kate@noto.net or laurie@noto.net.
Thank you for your support!
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Early Bird Prize Announcement
This year's prize for the Early Bird renewal draw is a DJI Mavic Mini Drone with a 2.7K Camera that can be used to create videos to help promote your business and have a little fun!!
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Canada Digital Adoption Program Grant Opportunities to Digitize Your Business!
This week, the Government of Canada launched the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). This program was created to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) boost their e-commerce presence and digitize how they run their businesses. The program provides funding and expertise to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians.
Businesses will be able to apply for two different kinds of support:
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Stream 1: Grow Your Business Online - This will help SMEs take advantage of e-commerce opportunities. Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies. Grants will be available through local and regional service providers across Canada. The service providers will also support a network of e-commerce advisors who will advise and help small businesses adopt e-commerce.
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Stream 2: Boost Your Business Technology - This will help businesses with the development and implementation of digital adoption strategies. Eligible businesses will have access to a marketplace of digital adoption experts to help them develop a digital adoption plan tailored to their needs. The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan. Businesses also have the opportunity to secure a 0% interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to facilitate the acquisition of new technology.
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Save the Date! » April 12 – 14, 2022
Join Destination Northern Ontario and Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario for an up-to-date look at our industry and ‘just in time’ information sessions that can help you as you launch into the busy spring and summer tourism season. The event will be delivered virtually and registration is FREE to all industry partners.
Topics Include:
- Industry Update
- What to expect for summer 2022
- Workforce Development
- Marketing Tips
- Environmental Sustainability & Your Business
- Protecting Your Business
- Fire Safety and Preparedness Tips
- Discussion with MNDMNRF
- Federal COVID Support Program Updates
Registration Will Open Soon!
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There will be no TIAO Calls
on Tuesday, March 8th.
Thank you,
The TIAO team
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Tourism SkillsNet North
As we approach the end of the Tourism SkillsNet North program (March 31st, 2022), we would still like to help you find staff!
If you register as a participating employer between now and March 31st, 2021, we will host your job listings on the TSNN Job Board and Indeed Profile to help you find staff.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Tourism SkillsNet North team.
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Safe Travels Stamp
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) created the Safe Travels Stamp which is an international symbol designed to allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene, standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.
In Ontario, the Safe Travels Stamp are administered by TIAO. NOTO's health and safety protocols, which have been vetted by the Government of Ontario have been recognized as standardized protocols for this purpose.
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NOTO is a membership based organization that works hard to support the outdoor tourism industry through advocacy and information services. We rely on annual memberships from tourism businesses, organizations, product and service suppliers, and partners to continue our work. For more information about membership with NOTO visit noto.ca
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